A glorious band, the chosen few, Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew, And mock'd the cross and flame. They met the tyrant's brandish'd steel, The lion's gory mane : They bow'd their necks the death to feel! Who follows in their train? A noble army-men and boys, Around the Saviour's throne rejoice, They climb'd the steep ascent of Heaven, Oh, God! to us may grace be given ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S DAY. OH, God! who gav'st thy servant grace, To look on thine incarnate face, And lean on thy protecting breast: To see the light that dimly shone, Be ours, oh, King of Mercy! still And in thy word, and in thy will, To hear thy voice and know thy love; And when the toils of life are done, And nature waits thy dread decree, And look, in humble hope, to Thee! INNOCENT'S DAY. Oн weep not o'er thy children's tomb, Oh, Rachel, weep not so! The bud is cropt by martyrdom, Firstlings of faith! the murderer's knife Has miss'd its deadliest aim : The God for whom they gave their life, For them to suffer came! Though feeble were their days and few, Baptized in blood and pain, He knows them, whom they never knew, And they shall live again. Then weep not o'er thy children's tomb, Oh, Rachel, weep not so! The bud is cropt by martyrdom, The flower in heaven shall blow! SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS; OR, CIRCUMCISION. LORD of mercy and of might! Maker, teacher infinite! Jesus! hear and save! Who, when sin's tremendous doom Gave Creation to the tomb, Didst not scorn the Virgin's womb, Jesus! hear and save! Mighty monarch! Saviour mild! Humbled to a mortal child, Captive, beaten, bound, revil'd, Jesus! hear and save! Throned above celestial things, Lord of lords, and King of kings! |